Oswestry Seconds' winning streak ends

THIS week, the Eagles travelled to Whitchurch looking to build on a four game away win streak, but met an equally determined Whitchurch side.

The game started at a fast tempo, with the good weather and the excellent condition of the pitch making it perfect for a good game of running rugby.

Whitchurch made inroads almost immediately, with their excellent number eight making yards every time he got the ball and proving a real handful for the Eagles back row.

However, the visitors managed to keep themselves in the Whitchurch half for the first 20 minutes, but were just lacking the final pass. After an excellent turnover by the Whitchurch pack, their centre broke through a tackle and released the winger, but an excellent cover tackle by Aidan Guenole gave Oswestry a chance to recover.

However, more excellent ball carrying by the hosts gave them a good platform, and despite the attention of Tudor Jones and Luke Jones, they managed to touch down.

The Eagles managed to get back in the Whitchurch half, but more indiscipline gave their wing the chance to break away and score in the corner, with the fly half adding the extras with an excellent kick. A similar story followed soon after, with good work by Oswestry undone by a lack of numbers in a ruck, and the quick turnover gave their winger another chance to stretch his legs.

This time it looked like the Eagles had been saved by a good cover tackle by Iwan Ellis on the touch line, but the referee deemed that his feet had remained in play until the ball was touched down and duly awarded another try, again the difficult conversion was made.

A frank discussion at half-time saw Oswestry improve immediately, but Whitchurch this time had the territory. However, Oswestry’s defence held firm with some excellent tackling going in by Guy Howell and Mike Keaveny around the fringes.

When the Eagles managed to get the ball, this time they managed to keep it and worked their way into the hosts half, despite some ferocious tackling and fantastic line speed, with even James Roberts failing to find a gap. When the chance came, Guenole did well to draw his man and put Kris Chatfield into space, but he was unfortunate to be held up following a great last ditch tackle. From the resulting scrum, Jamie Luckett looked like he might make the try line but it was not to be and the ball was spilled.

A fantastic game of rugby between two clean sides was well enjoyed by all.

n This week, the Eagles will look to get back to winning ways as they host Trafford Metrovick at Granville Park.